Saw this on a another board - anyone out there have experience running it?

4 Black TIEs w/ Predator (4x17), with two unique Ties

It makes some sense, and could make for an interesting unconventional tie-swarm that removes the need to maintain proximity to howlrunner and removes howlrunner as a target. The downside? You have to buy four tie defenders and you lose out on a 7-8 tie swarm.

I like going for Veteran Instincts instead of Predator, to bring them up to PS6. Yes, I'm going to run with Howlrunner (Determination and Hull Upgrade) and then throw in Mauler Mithel for the frontline with Draw Their Fire. The downside is attack dice, but with predator costing 12 points for 3 TIE Fighters, I find it too expensive when I can attack at a higher PS than most when fielding Black TIEs. It is certainly good for messing with people's minds. I miss having an auxiliary ship (like Soontir Fel) to do flanking maneuvers, but it is what it is.

I ran Howlrunner, Dark Curse, Backstabber, and three VI Black Squadron Pilots to a #1 seed back during an Imdarr Alpha event, I believe Howl had a hull upgrade and swarm tactics, I can't remember exactly what she had, but there's 5 points total for upgrades after that. It doesn't have the multi-predator vibe, but it put down some hurt way before other swarms and most non-ace squads could fire.

With 6 ships in the predator list I think once you give up firepower. And once you get behind in a match you may not be able to come back. Especially if you have early unlucky green dice. No cushion for mistakes or bad luck.

With Predator on TIE Fighters you really start looking at Howlrunner. She's +6 points over the AP and those points only cover two copies of Predator where Howlrunner will often provide the same benefit for any number of ships within range.

Predator may give you more maneuvering freedom for your TIE Swarm but Howlrunner is simply so much more overall firepower.